Fraser Health is advising expectant parents in two Metro Vancouver communities to prepare for possible changes to their planned birth locations over the holiday season, citing a temporary shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock and Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge.
The health authority says gaps in physician coverage on select dates mean some patients in labour may be redirected to other maternity sites to ensure consistent, safe care. The update, issued this week, affects people who had been planning to deliver at either facility.
According to Fraser Health, all patients currently registered to give birth at Peace Arch or Ridge Meadows have already been contacted by their care providers. The intent, the authority says, is to help families “know what to expect and feel fully supported” during an already stressful time. Patients who believe they are in labour or have concerns about their pregnancy are being instructed to call the maternity unit at their registered hospital before arrival, where staff will advise them on the appropriate site for assessment. In emergencies, the guidance remains unchanged: call 9-1-1.
In its notice, Fraser Health acknowledged the emotional impact of the update on families preparing for childbirth. “We know this update may cause concern for our patients and families and apologize for any added stress this may bring as they prepare for their baby’s arrival. These steps are in place to support them in receiving timely, appropriate care.”
Temporary diversions—instances when patients are directed to an alternate hospital due to capacity or staffing limitations—are not new to the system, the health authority emphasized. However, the goal is always to keep them to a minimum. “While temporary diversions are part of our regular operating procedure, we work diligently to minimize their use in our hospitals whenever possible. When we are unable to fill gaps in physician coverage, we reluctantly implement temporary diversions to ensure the safety of our patients.”
Staffing shortages in maternity care have affected hospitals across the province in recent years, and Fraser Health says it is taking active steps to address the issue locally. Recruitment efforts are underway both nationally and internationally to bring more obstetrician-gynecologists into the region, with the priority of restoring stable coverage at Peace Arch and Ridge Meadows.
The authority announced that one new obstetrician-gynecologist has been hired for Peace Arch Hospital and is expected to begin work in Spring 2026. It also reported broader regional progress, noting that “over the past year, we have recruited six obstetrician-gynecologists to work at our hospitals across the region, helping to ensure adequate resources are in place for all communities we serve.”
Fraser Health says it continues to work closely with the Divisions of Family Practice and the obstetrician-gynecologist groups at both affected hospitals. The joint effort aims to maintain reliable maternity care for families in the White Rock–South Surrey and Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows communities, where population growth has increased demand for services.
To help patients navigate the changes, Fraser Health has launched a new webpage dedicated to maternity service updates for Peace Arch and Ridge Meadows. The page, which will be updated as circumstances evolve, aggregates information for expectant families seeking clarity about where and how to access care. Additional general resources on pregnancy and maternity hospitals remain available at www.fraserhealth.ca/pregnancy.
The health authority’s update also reaffirmed its broader mandate and cultural commitments. Fraser Health noted that it provides care on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and serves 32 First Nations communities in the Fraser Salish region. It added that it is “dedicated to serving all Indigenous peoples” and honours the cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit residents.
Fraser Health employs more than 50,000 staff, medical professionals and volunteers who deliver both hospital-based and community health services across its large and diverse service area.
The authority says it will continue to communicate with families as the staffing situation evolves and remains focused on ensuring safe maternity care throughout the holiday period.
